Common Street Health Center Vaccinates for LIfe

RUTLAND – Madeline Harrison, RN, of the Common Street Health Center credits parents of the 150 young children they see regularly as the reason for achieving a 90 percent childhood vaccination rate.

“Our parents are very good about getting their children vaccinated during their well child check-ups,” Harrison said. “And we continually monitor patient immunization records. Even if they come in for a cold, we strongly recommend immunization, if needed.”

Common Street Health Center is connected to the Vermont Department of Health’s Immunization Registry, which allows providers to easily check and make sure each patient is up to date with their vaccinations.

Although most children in Vermont have had most of their vaccinations, just over 60 percent of young children have had all of the doses for all of the vaccines recommended for their age group.

Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are especially dangerous for the very young, the very old, and people with weakened immune systems. California is experiencing the largest spread of pertussis (whooping cough) in 60 years. The World Health Organization has just warned of rising numbers of measles cases spreading across 24 countries in Europe. Measles cases are now being reported in pockets of Minnesota, Utah, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Quebec.

That’s why it’s so important that nearly everyone is fully vaccinated.

“The parents really are doing a good job,” said Harrison.

Vaccinate for Life is a statewide effort to provide the most accurate information about the importance and safety of vaccines, and to protect both children and adults from vaccine-preventable diseases. If you have questions about vaccinations, ask your health care provider, check the Vermont Department of Health’s website healthvermont.gov our new Facebook page ‘Healthy Vermont Families’, follow us on Twitter, or call our immunization program toll-free at 1-800-640-4374.